The Los Angeles Times recently put Matsui's return to L.A. between three to five percent, the Chronicle reports, which spurred thoughts of Matsui's future. What Oakland has going for it is a young, up-and-coming team with burgeoning young pitching -- and especially important to Matsui, a "decent-sized Asian community."

Matsui's season hasn't quite gone as planned for the 36-year-old thanks to a debilitating May slump but aside from that has shown he's still got the goods a year after winning the World Series MVP award. The lefty has a .272/.361/.454 line with 20 home runs in 543 plate appearances -- numbers virtually identical to 2009's season.

But how about the ballpark, kind to pitchers but death to hitters with its wide-open outfield and never-ending foul ground?

Matsui has 136 career PA in the Coliseum, hitting .294/.353/.462, in line with his career averages.

However, with a plethora of outfielders in the fold and the need to work Chris Carter in, and Oakland may very well choose to keep a DH spot open and put the outfield in a rotation, upgrading the offense at other positions.

-- Evan Brunell

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